PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Monomah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vladimir Monomah has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Monomah
vs
Barao

175 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
143 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Self confident

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Vladimir Monomah!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Renan Barao!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Monomah fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barao, pushing him back against the cage.
Barao is trying to break the clinch but Monomah has him pressed against the cage.

Monomah breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Monomah has managed to clinch.

Monomah escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Monomah really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Monomah has a takedown stuffed.
Monomah shoots for a double leg takedown but Barao sprawls well. He's pushed Monomah's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Monomah darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Monomah darts in and clinches Barao up against the cage.
Monomah is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Barao to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vladimir Monomah. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Monomah pulls guard.
Monomah keeping full guard, as Barao tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monomah has his foot on Barao's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barao works his way back into a safe position though.

Barao drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barao jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barao pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Monomah is keeping the position for now.

Barao drops back looking for a leg! Monomah is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Monomah manages to kick Barao off! Barao jumps back into Monomah's guard.
Monomah looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Monomah is working hard here to advance position.
Barao stops Monomah from standing up.
Monomah keeping full guard, as Barao tries to pass.
Monomah trying to control the position.

Barao is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barao drops back looking for a leg! Monomah is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Monomah manages to kick Barao off! Barao jumps back into Monomah's guard.
Barao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barao pushing down on Monomah's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Barao wants to work for an arm triangle but Monomah is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Barao seems to be looking for submissions.

Barao is trying to work for a kimura but Monomah is defending well.
Monomah moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monomah is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Monomah is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Barao is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Monomah's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Monomah's back!
I really don't envy Monomah right now.

Barao working from the back looking to end the fight with a rear naked choke. Monomah is doing well to defend. Barao seems to have got his hand under the chin though and he's sunk the choke in! Monomah is forced to tap and this one is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Renan Barao!